Mid-State Residents Charged with TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE, TN - Two mid-state residents are charged with TennCare fraud in Williamson County, and both cases involve prescription drugs.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrests of Barbara A. Knupp, 29, and Dakota Lee Osan, 20, both of College Grove.

They were each charged with three counts of TennCare fraud and three counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.  Together Knupp and Osan fraudulently obtained TennCare benefits by fraudulently obtaining Adderall – an anti-anxiety medication.

"No matter what the case is, people who are committing TennCare fraud - especially involving prescription drugs - are going to get caught, arrested and prosecuted," Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. "The OIG is working prescription drug cases involving TennCare in almost every Tennessee county."

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony, carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. Obtaining a controlled substance by fraud is a Class D felony punishable by two to four years in prison per charge.  District Attorney General Kim R. Helper is prosecuting.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $173 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, 2,100 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions.  Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig/ and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."